An analytical study on the nature of economic disparities in Indian society depicted in modern Hindi poetry; Based on Sumitranandan Pant's 'Samajyavād' and 'Dhanpati' poems

Abstract

Society is a dynamic entity that undergoes various transformations over time. Due to the intrinsic relationship between society and the individual, economic, political, and cultural shifts within a society directly or indirectly impact the individual. Consequently, individuals experience shifts in critical perspectives, which in turn influence their literary creations. As a result, literature that highlights prevailing social conditions emerges. Individuals affected by economic fluctuations often attempt to infuse these insights into their literary endeavors. Therefore, it is common for social realistic literature to encompass themes regarding economic disparities. The portrayal of contemporary economic disparities in literature reinforces the notion that literature acts as a mirror to social phenomena. Sumitranandan Pant, a representative figure of the Chayavad (Neo-romantic) era in Hindi literature, was a poet significantly influenced by the socio-political backdrop of his time. During this period, British rule imposed a colonial hegemony across Indian society. However, towards the end of the Chayavad era and the dawn of the Progressive (Pragativad) era, a necessity for a new social awakening emerged, which was articulated through the medium of Hindi literature. The primary objective of this research is to examine how the prevailing social conditions influenced the poetry of Sumitranandan Pant. The research problem specifically addresses how economic disparities are projected in his work. The study was conducted using an inductive approach within a qualitative research framework. Sumitranandan Pant’s poetry collection Yugvani served as the primary source, while secondary sources included critical texts, research papers, and internet resources related to social realism and progressive poetry. Data was analyzed using textual analysis methods. The study concludes that through poems such as "Samajyavad" (Socialism) and "Dhanpati" (The Capitalist) in the Yugvani collection, Pant critiques the economic disparities of Indian society by attacking capitalism. Furthermore, it is concluded that the poet was significantly influenced by Aurobindo's philosophy, Gandhian philosophy, and Marxist ideology.